Portable terminal apparatus, a game execution support apparatus for supporting execution of a game, and computer readable mediums having recorded thereon processing programs for activating the portable terminal apparatus and game execution support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game production is effected by utilization of a ringing melody registered in a portable terminal apparatus. With reference to a fruit image table ( 152 ), a processing section ( 110 ) fetches a fruit image corresponding to a ringing melody number assigned to a ringing melody which has been selected previously in accordance with an instruction. The thus-fetched fruit image is provided within a background image ( 1200 ) in a step (S 1406 ). Accordingly, the processing section ( 110 ) displays the fruit corresponding to the selected ringing melody within a game screen. A production of an image can be controlled in accordance with the selected ringing melody.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a portable terminal apparatuswhich enables a player to play a game, and relates to a recordingmedium, such as a computer readable medium, having recorded thereon aprocessing program for activating the portable terminal apparatus.Further, the present invention relates to a game execution supportapparatus for supporting execution of a game, and relates to a recordingmedium, such as a computer readable medium, having recorded thereon aprocessing program for activating the game execution support apparatus.

[0003] The present application is based on Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2000-234512, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] There has hitherto been proposed a system which enables a playerto play a game while information is exchanged bidirectionally between aserver and a portable terminal apparatus, such as a portable cellularphone etc.. Games to be executed by a system of this type include avariety of battle-type games, such as an othello (reversi) game, inwhich an owner of a portable cellular phone plays a game with a server.There has also been proposed another portable terminal apparatus whichdoes not effect bi-directional communication of information between aportable terminal apparatus and a server at all times during the courseof a battle. However, the portable terminal apparatus accesses theserver and downloads into a portable cellular phone an operation programrequired for executing a game, thereby enabling the owner to enjoyplaying a game. Techniques for enabling the portable terminal apparatusof this type to execute a game have developed recently as a result of arecent IT revolution.

[0006] Even when an attempt has been made to enable a player to play agame through use of a portable terminal apparatus by way of putting ITtechniques to full use, in actuality as a player accumulates richexperience in games, such the player becomes less interested in games.Hence, it has been desired to enable sustainment of the player'sinterest in games by a contrivance peculiar to the portable terminalapparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been conceived to solve such a problemin the above-described portable terminal apparatus. Thus, the presentinvention is aimed at providing a portable terminal apparatus in which agame is produced by utilization of music data registered in the portableterminal apparatus, and further aimed at providing a recording medium,such as a computer readable medium, having recorded thereon a processingprogram for activating the portable terminal apparatus. Moreover, thepresent invention is aimed at providing a game execution supportapparatus for supporting execution of a game, and further aimed atproviding a recording medium, such as a computer readable medium, havingrecorded thereon a processing program for activating the game executionsupport apparatus.

[0008] To solve the above problem, according to a first aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a portable terminal apparatus whichcomprises a music data registration device in which a plurality ofdistributed music data sets are registered, a storage device whichstores game information distributed from a game execution supportapparatus which distributes game information including a game operationprogram, and a control device which causes a game to proceed byexecuting the game operation program, and which effects a gameproduction in consideration of music data which have been selected fromthe plurality of music data sets in accordance with an instruction.

[0009] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, thecontrol device causes a game to proceed by executing an operationprogram. Further, in consideration of music data selected from amongmusic data sets, a game production is effected. Accordingly, a gameproduction is effected in accordance with a ringing melody, thussustaining the player's interest in the game.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, theportable terminal apparatus may further comprise a game screen on whicha game image is displayed, and an operation device which is operated tocontrol a character in the game image, wherein the control device causesthe game screen to display in a background image of the game image adisplay object which is to be acquired by the character, and the controldevice causes the background image to scroll in a predetermineddirection, wherein when the display object is acquired by the characterin accordance with an operation of the character performed by theoperation device, the control device causes the game to proceed suchthat a score for the game is increased, and wherein when the characteris caused to perform an action colliding with a specific display object,the control device causes the game to be terminated.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the controldevice may include a transformer which transforms the character when thenumber of display objects acquired by the character exceeds apredetermined number.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, thepredetermined number is set according to a type of the display object.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, preferably,based on the selected music data, the control device controls abackground music for the game in progress.

[0014] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, preferably,the control device causes the game screen thereon to display the displayobject corresponding to the selected music data.

[0015] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, thecontrol device may include a transmitter which transmits, to the gameexecution support apparatus, a control signal which enables acquisitionof game information used for the game and corresponding to the selectedmusic data when the number of display objects acquired by the characterexceeds a predetermined number.

[0016] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, thecontrol device may effect a wait screen display using game informationtransmitted from the game execution support apparatus.

[0017] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the musicdata may be data on at least one ringing melody.

[0018] Furthermore, to solve the above problem, according to a tenthaspect of the present invention, there is provided a game executionsupport apparatus which comprises a distributor which distributes, inaccordance with a distribution request output from a portable terminalapparatus, game information including a game operation program requiredfor enabling execution of a game, and a receiver which receives acontrol signal transmitted from the portable terminal apparatus andenabling acquisition of game information used for a game correspondingto music data which has been selected in accordance with an instruction,wherein the distributor distributes the game information to the portableterminal apparatus in response to receipt of the control signal.

[0019] In accordance with the tenth aspect of the present invention,game information can be acquired by operation of a portable terminalapparatus.

[0020] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, themusic data may be data on at least one ringing melody.

[0021] Moreover, to solve the above problem, according to a twelfthaspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readablemedium having recorded thereon a processing program for activating aportable terminal apparatus having a music data registration device inwhich a plurality of distributed music data sets are registered. Theprocessing program comprises

[0022] a storage routine for storing game information distributed from agame execution support apparatus which distributes the game informationincluding a game operation program, and an execution routine forexecuting the game operation program in order to proceed a game, and foreffecting a game production in consideration of music data which havebeen selected from the plurality of music data sets in accordance withan instruction.

[0023] In accordance with the twelfth aspect of the present invention,when a computer executes a program, processing operations are performed,so that a production according to music data is effected, therebysustaining the player's interest in the game.

[0024] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, themusic data may be data on at least one ringing melody.

[0025] The processing program, as described above, may be distributedfrom the game execution support apparatus to a desired portable terminalapparatus.

[0026] Furthermore, to solve the above problem, according to afourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computerreadable medium having recorded thereon a processing program foractivating a game execution support apparatus which distributes gameinformation including a game operation program for executing a game. Theprocessing program comprises a first distribution routine fordistributing the game information including the game operation programin accordance with a distribution request output from a portableterminal apparatus, a receipt routine for receiving a control signalwhich is transmitted from the portable terminal apparatus and enablesacquisition of game information used for a game corresponding to musicdata which has been selected in accordance with an instruction, and asecond distribution routine for distributing the game information to theportable terminal apparatus in response to receipt of the controlsignal.

[0027] In accordance with the fourteenth aspect of the presentinvention, when a computer executes a processing program, processingoperations are performed, so that game information can be acquired byoperation of a portable terminal apparatus.

[0028] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, themusic data may be data on at least one ringing melody.

[0029] The processing program, as described above, may be distributedfrom the game execution support apparatus to a desired portable terminalapparatus.

[0030] It should be noted that each of the aforementioned computerreadable mediums includes a recording medium that enables reading andrecording of-digital contents. More specifically, such the computerreadable medium includes, for example, a semiconductor recording mediumsuch as a ROM (i.e., Read Only Memory), a semiconductor IC (i.e.,Integrated Circuit), etc., an optical recording medium such as a DVD-ROM(i.e., Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), a CD-ROM (i.e., CompactDisc-Read Only Memory), etc., a magnetic recording medium such as aflexible disk etc., and a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO(i.e., Magneto Optical Disk) etc..

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above and other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent by describing in detail a preferredembodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a game executionsupport system 1 according to the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a game execution support apparatus300;

[0034]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portable terminal apparatus 100;

[0035]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a ringing melody distributionapparatus 200;

[0036]FIG. 5 is a descriptive view showing an item table 351;

[0037]FIG. 6 is. a descriptive view showing a ringing melodyregistration table 151;

[0038]FIG. 7 is a descriptive view showing a fruit image table 152;

[0039]FIG. 8 is a descriptive view showing specific examples of fruitimages;

[0040]FIG. 9 is a descriptive view of a character transformation table153;

[0041]FIGS. 10A through 10C are descriptive views showing specificexamples of character transformation;

[0042]FIG. 11 is a descriptive view showing an operation fordistributing a ringing melody;

[0043]FIGS. 12A and 12B are descriptive views showing a display screenon the portable terminal apparatus 100;

[0044]FIG. 13 is a descriptive view for explaining an operation fordistributing an operation program;

[0045]FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a game operation;

[0046]FIG. 15 is a descriptive view showing a display screen on theportable terminal apparatus 100;

[0047]FIGS. 16A through 16D are descriptive views for explaining a gameoperation;

[0048]FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an operation for acquiringitems;

[0049]FIG. 18 is a descriptive view for explaining an operation foracquiring items;

[0050]FIG. 19 is a descriptive view showing a display screen on theportable terminal apparatus 100; and

[0051]FIG. 20 is a hardware configuration of individual pieces of eachapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0052] 1. Construction

[0053]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a gameexecution support system according to the present invention. A gameexecution support system 1 comprises a portable terminal apparatus 100owned by a user who acts as a player, a ringing melody distributionapparatus 200 for distributing ringing melodies, and a game executionsupport apparatus 300 for distributing game information, including agame operation program required for executing a game. The apparatuses100, 200 and 300 are connected to a communications network 400.Naturally, a plurality of portable terminal apparatuses 100 can be used.For the sake of facilitating an explanation, one portable terminalapparatus 100 is employed. The communications network 400 may beembodied through use of, e.g., the Internet, private line, etc.. Theringing melody distribution apparatus 200 and the game execution supportapparatus 300 may be embodied as a single computer.

[0054]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the game execution supportapparatus 300. The game execution support apparatus 300 comprises aprocessing section 310 which can be embodied in a-CPU etc. operating inaccordance with a processing program, an input section 320 which can beembodied in an input device such as a mouse etc., a display section 330which can be embodied in a display device such as a CRT (i.e.,Cathode-Ray Tube) etc., and a database (DB) 340 which can be embodied ina hard disk drive etc.. A table region 350 is formed in the DB 340, andlookup on and updating of a table stored in the table region 350 areperformed by the processing section 310.

[0055]FIG. 5 is a descriptive view of an item table 351 stored in thetable region 350. The item table 351 shown in FIG. 5 comprises personalIDs which are identifiers assigned to respective users (players), aplurality of ringing melody IDs which are identifiers assigned toringing melodies, and a flag showing whether or not 100 items; that is,item 1 through item 100, which are set for each of ringing melodies, canbe distributed. When a flag assumes “1,” a corresponding item can bedistributed. In contrast, when the flag assumes “0,” a correspondingitem cannot be distributed.

[0056] In an example shown in FIG. 5, in relation to a user assignedpersonal ID “00000001,” a flag for item 100 allocated to a ringing ID“0001” cannot be distributed. Even in relation to a ringing melody ID“0001,” a flag for item 1 has been changed from 0 to 1, and item 1 canbe distributed.

[0057] With reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. 3, theconstruction of the portable terminal apparatus 100 will be described.The portable terminal apparatus 100 comprises a processing section 110which can be embodied in a CPU etc. operating in accordance with aprocessing program, an operation section 120 which can be embodied incontrol buttons etc., a display section 130 which can be embodied in adisplay device such as a color liquid-crystal display etc., a storagesection 140 which can be embodied in a nonvolatile memory device etc.,and a sound output section 170 which outputs sound. More specifically,items which are to be displayed on the display section 130 areselectively activated by actuation of buttons, thereby enabling theplayer to perform required operations.

[0058] Tables 150 are stored in the storage section 140 of the portableterminal apparatus 100, and an operation program storage area 160 forstoring operation programs is formed in the storage section 140.Distributed operation programs are stored in the operation programstorage area 160. Other character information items are stored in anarea (not shown) in the storage section 140.

[0059] The portable terminal apparatus 100 can be embodied in a portablecellular phone, a compact, transportable information processor featuringmobility, or the like. Here, provided that the portable terminalapparatus 100 is embodied in a portable cellular phone, the systemconfiguration shown in FIG. 1 must include an intermediary apparatussuch as a base station etc.. In order to facilitate comprehension of theprincipal feature of the present invention, the embodiment is describedwhile an intermediary apparatus, such as a base station etc., isintentionally omitted.

[0060]FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 are descriptive views of tables for explainingexamples of the tables 150. A ringing melody registration table 151shown in FIG. 6 stores ringing melody IDs assigned to ringing melodiesdistributed by the ringing melody distribution apparatus 200; titles ofringing melodies; and musical information, such that they are associatedwith each other. Further, ringing melody numbers sequentially assignedto melodies from number 1 by the processing section 110 are stored inthe ringing melody registration table 151. The processing section 110 isconstructed such that contents of the ringing melody registration table151 are displayed in the form of a list on the display section 130, byoperation of the operation section 120. In the example shown in FIG. 6,ringing melody ID “0001,” the title of the ringing melody “A,” andmusical information “C” are appended to a corresponding ringing melodynumber “1,” and these information items are stored in the ringing melodyregistration table 151.

[0061] A fruit image table 152 shown in FIG. 7 is for setting, for eachmelody number, a fruit, which serves as a display object to be acquiredby a character during a later game operation. Ringing melody numbers andcorresponding fruit images are stored in the fruit image table 152 so asto become associated with each other. A display object is changed withina game screen for each ringing melody for which selection beeninstructed, thereby enabling sustainment of the player's interest in agame to a much greater extent. FIG. 8 shows specific examples of fruitimages. Bananas, grapes, strawberries, cherries, and pineapples areprepared as fruit images. Needless to say, the fruit images are notlimited to these examples.

[0062] A character transformation table 153 shown in FIG. 9 stores kindsof fruits, a score for transformation 1, and a score for transformation2 such that they are associated with each other. When a character to bedescribed later has acquired fruits in a number equal to or exceedingthe score for transformation 1 set for each fruit, the characterundergoes first transformation. Further, when the character has acquiredfruits in a number equal to or exceeding the score for transformation 2,the character undergoes second transformation. FIGS. 10A through 10C arespecific examples of transformation of a character 1000. When thecharacter 1000 (see FIG. 10A) has acquired fruits “A” in number equal toor exceeding the score “x” for transformation 1 (as shown in FIG. 9),the character 1000 is changed in color, as shown in FIG. 10B. Further,when the character 1000 that has undergone first transformation (seeFIG. 10B) has acquired fruits “A” in number equal to or exceeding ascore “x+3” for transformation 2, the character 1000 undergoes secondtransformation so as to acquire wings 1001, as shown in FIG. 10C.

[0063] With reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. 4, theconfiguration of the ringing melody distribution apparatus 200 will nowbe described. The ringing melody distribution apparatus 200 has aprocessing section 210 embodied in a CPU which operates in accordancewith a processing program, and a DB 220 embodied in a hard disk drive.Ringing melody IDs assigned to ringing melodies; titles of ringingmelodies; and musical information are stored in the DB 220 in such a waythat they are associated with each other. The processing section 210 isarranged so as to perform lookup and updating of contents of the DB 220in accordance with a distribution request.

[0064] 2. Description of Operation

[0065] A ringing melody distribution operation will be described withreference to a communications scenario shown in FIG. 11 and to diagramsshowing transition in display screens of the display section 130 of theportable terminal apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 12.

[0066] 3. Ringing Melody Distribution Operation

[0067] When a ringing melody list transmission instruction is issued byactuation of the operation section 120, the processing section 110transmits a ringing melody list transmission request to the ringingmelody distribution apparatus 200 (step S1100). In response to therequest, the processing section 210 of the ringing melody distributionapparatus 200 retrieves titles of all ringing melodies stored in the DB220 and transmits the thus-retrieved titles of the ringing melodies tothe portable terminal apparatus 100 (step S1102).

[0068] In response to this, as shown in FIG. 12A, the processing section110 displays titles of ringing melodies on the display area 131 of thedisplay section 130 as a ringing melody distribution list. When a userselectively activates any one title of the ringing melody list by theoperation section 120, the processing section 110 transmits to theringing melody distribution apparatus 200 ringing melody selectioninformation indicating the thus-selected ringing melody (step S1104). Inresponse to transmission of information, the processing section 210looks up information in the DB 220 and transmits to the portableterminal apparatus 100 a ringing melody ID assigned to the selectedringing melody, the title of the ringing melody, and musical informationabout the ringing melody (step S1106).

[0069] In response to the transmission operation, the processing section110 adds a ringing melody number to the information and newly registersthe information in the ringing melody registration table 151. Further,the processing section 110 displays on the display section 130 a messageto the effect that the ringing melody has been registered, such as thatshown in FIG. 12B. In this way, information pertaining to a desiredringing melody is registered in the ringing melody registration table151.

[0070] 4. Operation program distribution operation

[0071] Next will be described an operation program distributionoperation for enabling a player to play a game. When an operationprogram distribution instruction is issued by actuation of the operationsection 120, the processing section 110 transmits an operation programdistribution request to the game execution support apparatus 300 (stepS1300). Then, a processing section 310 of the game execution supportapparatus 300 transmits to the portable terminal apparatus 100 aprocessing program (not shown) stored in a DB 340 or game informationsuch as table information shown in FIG. 7 or 9 (step S1302).

[0072] The processing section 110 stores an operation program in theoperation program storage area 160 and stores table information into thetables 150, thus constructing respective tables. Thereafter, theprocessing section 110 executes an operation program, thus effecting agame.

[0073] 5. Game Operation

[0074] A game operation will be described with reference to a flowchartshown in FIG. 14. First, an instruction for displaying a registeredringing melody list is issued by actuation of the operation section 120of the portable terminal apparatus 100. The processing section 110 looksup information in the ringing melody registration table 151 and displaysa ringing melody number and the title of the melody on the displaysection 130 such that they are associated with each other. When any oneof the ringing melody numbers is selected in this state, the processingsection 110 detects the thus-selected ringing melody number and looks upinformation in the ringing melody registration table 151 (step S1400).During the course of a game, there is continuously performed anoperation for outputting as background music a sound, which is to beoutput on the basis of the musical information corresponding to thethus-detected ringing melody number, from the sound output section 170(step S1402). As a result, a production of a sound effect using theselectively instructed ringing melody can be controlled.

[0075] The processing section 110 performs an operation for scrolling abackground image (step S1404) and executing a game (step S1406). FIGS.16A through 16D are illustrations specifically describing the game. As agame proceeds from FIG. 16A through 16D, time elapses. The processingsection 110 causes the game screen to arrange (i.e., display), in abackground image 1200, fruits which are display objects to be acquiredby the character 1000. Further, the processing section 110 causes thebackground image 1200 to scroll from right to left in FIGS. 16A to 16D.At this time, in accordance with operating action on the operationsection 120, the character 1000 can move in any one of the rightwarddirection, the leftward direction, and the upward direction (denoted byX in FIG. 16C; that is, a jump).

[0076] When the character 1000 is caused to act so as to acquire a fruit1050, a score (1060) is increased. In contrast, if the character 1000 iscaused to act so as to collide with a spider web, which is a specificdisplay object, a game ends (when YES is selected in step S1408). Unlessthe game ends (i.e., when NO is selected in step S1408), processingpertaining to steps S1402 through S1408 go on. Consequently, a simpleand enjoyable game can be effected by way of moving the character 1000through actuation of the operation section 120 and acquiring the fruit1050 scrolled in conjunction with the background image 1200.

[0077] During the course of progress in the game, the processing section110 looks up information in the fruit image table 152, retrieves a fruitimage corresponding to a ringing melody number assigned to the ringingmelody for which selection has been instructed, and arranges thethus-retrieved fruit in the background image 1200. The processingsection 110 displays within a game screen fruits corresponding to theselectively instructed ringing melody. Hence, a production of an imagecorresponding to the selectively instructed ringing melody can becontrolled.

[0078] When the number of fruits acquired by the character 1000 equalsor exceeds the score for first transformation, the processing section110 causes the character 100 to transform with reference to thecharacter transformation table 153. When the number of fruits acquiredby the character 1000 equals or exceeds the score for secondtransformation, the processing section 110 causes the character 1000 totransform again, thus effecting a game. As a result, the player'sinterest in the game is sustained further. At this time, the score forfirst transformation and the score for second transformation are setaccording to the type of fruit. Hence, even when the character 1000 hasa given capability, the character 1000 transforms during transformationperiods which vary according to kinds of fruits. Accordingly, the natureof interest in a game is improved.

[0079] 6. Item Acquisition Operation

[0080] As shown in FIG. 17, the processing section 110 determineswhether or not 10 or more fruits have been acquired. If fewer than 10fruits have been acquired (when NO is selected in step S1700),processing is terminated. In contrast, if 10 or more fruits have beenacquired (when YES is selected in step S1700), processing proceeds tostep S1702, and a control signal for enabling acquisition of an itemcorresponding to the selectively instructed ringing melody istransmitted to the game execution support apparatus 300. At this time,the processing section 110 transmits a personal ID assigned to the ownerof the portable terminal apparatus 100 and a ringing melody IDpertaining to the selectively instructed ringing melody while they areincluded in the control signal.

[0081] The processing section 310 of the game execution supportapparatus 300 grasps, sequentially from item 1, an item flag whichcorresponds to the personal ID and the ringing melody ID, both havingbeen transmitted and being stored in the item table 351. First, an itemflag “0” is changed to “1.” For instance, when a flag assigned to item 1assumes “0,” a flag corresponding to item 1 is changed from “0” to “1.”

[0082] An item acquisition operation will be described with reference toa communications scenario shown in FIG. 18 and to diagrams showingtransition in display screens of the display section 130 of the portableterminal apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 19.

[0083] When an item list transmission instruction has been issued byactuation of the operation section 120, the processing section 110transmits an item list transmission request to the game executionsupport apparatus 300 (step S1800). The processing section 310 of thegame execution support apparatus 300 draws up a list of items which areassigned an item flag for 1 and belong to corresponding personal IDsstored in the item table 351, and the thus-prepared list is transmittedto the portable terminal apparatus 100 (step S1802).

[0084] As shown in FIG. 19A, the processing section 310 displays theitem list on the display section 300. For instance, in the example shownin FIG. 5, in relation to the user assigned ID “00000001, only a flagfor item 1 corresponding to a ringing melody ID “0001” assumes “1.”Hence, the title of item 1 is displayed on the display section 300. Whenthe user issues an item request instruction by actuation of theoperation section 120, the processing section 110 transmits item listrequest information to the game execution support apparatus 300 (stepS1804). The processing section 310 of the game execution supportapparatus 300 transmits the instructed item to the portable terminalapparatus 100 (step S1806).

[0085] As shown in FIG. 19B, the processing section 110 displays detailsof the item on the display section 300. In this example, item 1corresponds to image information about a certain character. Itemsinclude various substances, such as objects to be provided for acharacter within the game screen.

[0086] Thus, the processing section 310 receives a control signal so asto acquire an item according to a selectively instructed ringing melodytransmitted from the portable terminal apparatus 100. As a result ofreceipt of the control signal, the processing section 310 enablesdistribution of an item to the portable terminal apparatus 100. Thus, anitem can be acquired through actuation of the portable terminalapparatus 100. Further, the processing section 110 stores thethus-acquired item in a predetermined area on the storage section 140.During a normal operation in which a game is not effected, the item isread from the storage area and displays the item on the display section130 as a wait screen display. This improves the user's desire foracquiring an item.

[0087] As has been described, in the embodiment, the processing section310 causes a game to proceed by execution of an operation program.Further, in consideration of a ringing melody selected from amongringing melodies registered in the ringing melody registration table151, a game production is effected. Hence, a game production is effectedin accordance with a ringing melody, thus sustaining the player'sinterest in the game.

[0088]FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing hardware configuration of theprincipal sections of the respective pieces of each apparatus shown inFIG. 1. The configuration shown in FIG. 20 comprises a CPU 2000, a harddisk drive or memory 2010 serving as a recording medium having recordedthereon a processing program 2012, an operation button or mouse 2020,and a liquid-crystal display or CRT 2030. They are interconnected by abus 2040 so as to be able to mutually exchange required information. Asa result of the CPU 2000 executing the processing program 2012,operations set forth can be implemented.

[0089] The embodiment has described utilization of a ringing melody fora portable cellular phone. Alternatively, the present invention may beapplied to an information terminal apparatus, such as anon-transportable game machine or desk-top computer, thereby enabling auser to play a game by utilization of distributed music data. Althoughmusic data may correspond to ringing melodies described in connectionwith the embodiment, the music data are not limited to ringing melodiesand include arbitrary music data set so as not to ring at the time of acall alert. Further, music data are not limited to music and may includedata which can be perceived as sound: for example, sound of babbles of abrook, chirping of insects, or human voice. Although game informationmay correspond to items (e.g., images of fruits) described in connectionwith the embodiment, the game information is not limited to such items.For example, game information include arbitrary image data; moreappropriately, arbitrary information which can be distributed and are tobe used for a game, such as game background images or characterinformation pertaining to a game.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to the specificabove-described embodiment. For example, at the time of receipt ortransmission of information by or from the portable terminal apparatus100, the user may be prompted to perform operations by audiblenotification. For example, a user may not be allowed to perform a roundof operations without entering a password by the portable terminalapparatus 100. For example, the number of types of characters and fruitsmay be increased. For example, objects to be acquired may be embodied informs other than fruits.

[0091] As has been described above, according to the present invention,a game is caused to proceed by way of executing an operation program.Further, a-game production is effected in consideration of music dataselected from music data sets. Hence, there is yielded an advantage ofthe player's interest in a game being sustained as a result of a gameproduction being performed in accordance with music data.

[0092] It is contemplated that numerous modifications may be made to theportable terminal apparatus, the game execution support apparatus, andthe computer readable mediums having recorded thereon the processingprograms for activating the portable terminal apparatus and the gameexecution support apparatus, of the present invention without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable terminal apparatus, comprising: amusic data registration device in which a plurality of distributed musicdata sets are registered; a storage device which stores game informationdistributed from a game execution support apparatus which distributesgame information including a game operation program; and a controldevice which causes a game to proceed by executing the game operationprogram, and which effects a game production in consideration of musicdata which have been selected from the plurality of music data sets inaccordance with an instruction.
 2. The portable terminal apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising: a game screen on which a game image isdisplayed; and an operation device which is operated to control acharacter in the game image, wherein the control device causes the gamescreen to display in a background image of the game image a displayobject which is to be acquired by the character, and the control devicecauses the background image to scroll in a predetermined direction,wherein when the display object is acquired by the character inaccordance with an operation of the character performed by the operationdevice, the control device causes the game to proceed such that a scorefor the game is increased, and wherein when the character is caused toperform an action colliding with a specific display object, the controldevice causes the game to be terminated.
 3. The portable terminalapparatus of claim 2, wherein the control device includes a transformerwhich transforms the character when the number of display objectsacquired by the character exceeds a predetermined number.
 4. Theportable terminal apparatus of claim 3, wherein the predetermined numberis set according to a type of the display object.
 5. The portableterminal apparatus of claim 1, wherein based on the selected music data,the control device controls a background music for the game in progress.6. The portable terminal apparatus of claim 2, wherein based on theselected music data, the control device controls a background music forthe game in progress.
 7. The portable terminal apparatus of claim 3,wherein based on the selected music data, the control device controls abackground music for the game in progress.
 8. The portable terminalapparatus of claim 4, wherein based on the selected music data, thecontrol device controls a background music for the game in progress. 9.The portable terminal apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control devicecauses the game screen thereon to display the display objectcorresponding to the selected music data.
 10. The portable terminalapparatus of claim 3, wherein the control device causes the game screenthereon to display the display object corresponding to the selectedmusic data.
 11. The portable terminal apparatus of claim 4, wherein thecontrol device causes the game screen thereon to display the displayobject corresponding to the selected music data.
 12. The portableterminal apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control device includes atransmitter which transmits, to the game execution support apparatus, acontrol signal which enables acquisition of game information used forthe game and corresponding to the selected music data when the number ofdisplay objects acquired by the character exceeds a predeterminednumber.
 13. The portable terminal apparatus of claim 3, wherein thecontrol device includes a transmitter which transmits, to the gameexecution support apparatus, a control signal which enables acquisitionof game information used for the game and corresponding to the selectedmusic data when the number of display objects acquired by the characterexceeds a predetermined number.
 14. The portable terminal apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the control device includes a transmitter whichtransmits, to the game execution support apparatus, a control signalwhich enables acquisition of game information used for the game andcorresponding to the selected music data when the number of displayobjects acquired by the character exceeds a predetermined number. 15.The portable terminal apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control deviceeffects await screen display using game information transmitted from thegame execution support apparatus.
 16. The portable terminal apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the control device effects a wait screen display usinggame information transmitted from the game execution support apparatus.17. The portable terminal apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controldevice effects a wait screen display using game information transmittedfrom the game execution support apparatus.
 18. The portable terminalapparatus of claim 1, wherein the music data is data on at least oneringing melody.
 19. A game execution support apparatus, comprising: adistributor which distributes, in accordance with a distribution requestoutput from a portable terminal apparatus, game information including agame operation program required for enabling execution of a game; and areceiver which receives a control signal transmitted from the portableterminal apparatus and enabling acquisition of game information used fora game corresponding to music data which has been selected in accordancewith an instruction, wherein the distributor distributes the gameinformation to the portable terminal apparatus in response to receipt ofthe control signal.
 20. The game execution support apparatus of claim19, wherein the music data is data on at least one ringing melody.
 21. Acomputer readable medium having recorded thereon a processing programfor activating a portable terminal apparatus having a music dataregistration device in which a plurality of distributed music data setsare registered, the processing program comprising: a storage routine forstoring game information distributed from a game execution supportapparatus which distributes the game information including a gameoperation program; and an execution routine for executing the gameoperation program in order to proceed a game, and for effecting a gameproduction in consideration of music data which have been selected fromthe plurality of music data sets in accordance with an instruction. 22.The computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the music data is dataon at least one ringing melody.
 23. A computer readable medium havingrecorded thereon a processing program for activating a game executionsupport apparatus which distributes game information including a gameoperation program for executing a game, the processing programcomprising: a first distribution routine for distributing the gameinformation including the game operation program in accordance with adistribution request output from a portable terminal apparatus; areceipt routine for receiving a control signal which is transmitted fromthe portable terminal apparatus and enables acquisition of gameinformation used for a game corresponding to music data which has beenselected in accordance with an instruction; and a second distributionroutine for distributing the game information to the portable terminalapparatus in response to receipt of the control signal.
 24. The computerreadable medium of claim 23, wherein the music data is data on at leastone ringing melody.